More birthdays for everyone, especially for those who are battling cancer is what the American Cancer Society Pickens County Unit wants. Yes, the cancer war is at our doorstep, but we are battling and winning victories each day, especially through the American Cancer Society. That is why so many people across the nation are participating in various ways for the ACS Relay for Life this year.

Since the last ACS Pickens County Relay for Life last May, many people have joined the frontlines to spearhead the 2011 Relay for Life to be held at Lee Newton Park on May 14, beginning at 2 p.m. with the first lap around the track. Twenty-three teams and the steering committee have been promoting this event with the theme of the National Football League (NFL) and raising funds since January when we kicked off activities with a Superbowl sports theme.

You have helped with your donations to the different teams’ fundraisers and now we want to invite you to come with your teams, your family and friends and participate in an all-night event to be held at the park. You may not be able to stay all night, but activities begin at 2 p.m. and we are sure you will find activities you will enjoy and show your support for the battle at hand.

Some of the activities and times scheduled are given in this article, but many more will be ongoing throughout the day. The Boy Scouts will begin the festivities with the Pledge of Allegiance and Flag Ceremony at 2:10 p.m. Katie Cagle is scheduled to sing the National Anthem; and the singing group, Angel Spirit, will perform at 2:30 p.m. The team laps will begin at 2:45 p.m. We would like all cancer survivors to join us at 2 p.m. and stay for their walking lap at 6 p.m. A special section will be set aside for the survivors.

In the late afternoon and the early evening other enjoyable activities will continue. After the Miss-Ter Relay contest at 6:15 p.m., Clay McArther will sing at 8 and Molly and Zac will perform at 8:30. At 8:50 the Raffle Give-Away will be held right before the PowerPoint presentation created by Jamie MaKool on a large screen for everyone to see the images of loved ones, whose family and friends donated to have these people highlighted and remembered. Afterwards the Luminaries Ceremony will begin with Leslie playing Taps in remembrance.

For more information about this event or any of the activities surrounding the Event, please go to www.pickensrelay.org or contact Nicholoe Collins at 706-692-6421 or Amanda Holden at 770-893-7130. On the website can be found the forms for the Power Point presentation and the luminaries, which are always very moving.

In case of rain on the RFL date of May 14, the activities will be held at the same time at Precision Cabinets (the old shoe plant) on Hood Road.